Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Basketball Inks Three Early Signees
11/12/2004 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head men's basketball coach Pat Flannery announced today the addition of three student-athletes who have taken advantage of the NCAA early signing period to sign national letters of intent to play at Bucknell beginning in 2005-06.
Joining Bucknell next season will be Justin Castleberry, a 6-1 guard from Upper Marlboro, Md. (Archbishop Spalding H.S.); Jason Vegotsky, a 6-2 guard from Yardley, Pa. (Pennsbury H.S.); and Josh Linthicum, a 6-11 center from Farmington, N.M., who is attending Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Va.
"I couldn't be more excited about this group," said Flannery of his third class of scholarship student-athletes. "We tightened up some areas and will be much deeper. All three will compete for playing time right away because of their physical maturity. We really like them because basketball is very important to them, yet at the same time they are all true Bucknell student-athletes who have worked very hard to achieve the grades that we need.
"We identified Justin, Josh and Jason from the start as players we would love to have, and we are fortunate to have them commit early," Flannery added.
Castleberry as a junior last season was a key member of an Archbishop Spalding team that posted a 29-8 record and was ranked second by the Baltimore Sun and 12th by the Washington Post. Three other Divison I players surrounded Castleberry, including current Connecticut freshman Rudy Gay. Castleberry played in all 37 games and averaged 8.6 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field under head coach Mike Glick. He is a two-time all-star at the Eastern Invitational, one of the premier summer basketball camps.
"Justin is a very promising guard from an outstanding program at Archbishop Spalding," said Flannery. "He is already physically a very mature player, and he can both handle and shoot the ball very well. One of the assets we like the most about him is his ability to see the floor. He understands the game very well, and we think he can fit right into our system."
Linthicum at 6-11 will bring even more size to a Bucknell frontcourt that already features 6-11 Chris McNaughton, 6-7, 255-pound Tarik Viaer-McClymont and 6-8 Darren Mastropaolo. Linthicum was an all-state performer in his native New Mexico before moving to Virginia Episcopal School in 2003-04. Last season VES was 17-8 and ranked No. 1 in the state in its classification. Linthicum averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for head coach John Windham.
"Josh is so rugged and physical, and at the same time he has good hands and finesse," Flannery said. "He is a post presence and can really make space down low. Josh played against excellent competition with his AAU team this summer. He has the size and strength to come in and play at the Division I level. We really like his body and his skill."
A high-scoring guard, Vegotsky averaged 22 points, 4 assists and 3 steals for Pennsbury High as a junior last season. He was a first-team all-conference selection under head coach Frank Sciolla.
"Jason will complement our offensive philosophy very well," said Flannery. "He is a complete player. He has a lot of individual moves and can break you down off the dribble and score. He's a real handful to guard. Jason played against outstanding competition at the high school level, and we feel he will be able to make us a better scoring team."
Bucknell is opening its season this week at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in Syracuse, N.Y. The Bison begin their 2004-05 home slate next Friday, Nov. 19 against Rider at 7 p.m.
